[ Some of the tension faded from him at her touch. He couldn't help that, as much as he wanted to. That anger and indignation was a welcome shield against everything else. But but warm hand on his shoulder made maintaining it so very difficult. It left him exposed to what he was trying to ignore. All of those feelings of inadequacy and weakness. He'd never be enough. He'd never be like that. Determination couldn't match that sheer amount of focus.
He opened his eyes but he he didn't look at her. His teeth ground together as he struggled to hold on to his shield. If he let go, he'd fall apart. If he spoke, he'd break. He just wanted to be alone. So he could focus. And train. And work to become what he always pretended to be. ]
[spam]
He opened his eyes but he he didn't look at her. His teeth ground together as he struggled to hold on to his shield. If he let go, he'd fall apart. If he spoke, he'd break. He just wanted to be alone. So he could focus. And train. And work to become what he always pretended to be. ]